This is something I've been thinking about for a while now as I trawl through the geek threads. I really want to bring up (again) the topic of how to give advice!! It makes me cringe when I see some of the responses to people's questions and also the amount of questions that start with "sorry if I sound stupid" or "sorry for asking". I can't bear to read that in posts, I've done it myself I know and I reckon a lot of it comes from people having read other responses that frankly seem like "As IF you don't know the answer".
A plea to all (from one who gives advice for a living!) to please think about your immediate reactions to questions. Often the first answer is to ask more questions.
Just because somebody doesn't know an obvious step in a procedure, are they trained? If not, they need pointing in the right direction of training. Why are they in a pro forum if they're not trained? Hey, I bet there's loads of those geeks out there. That's a bigger debate but jumping down someone's throat without asking further is not the way to entice them to learn properly, and bring them into the fold. I started as an untrained lurker and then after researching went on & trained with a top brand. Shouldn't that be the aim for posters like that?
If somebody disagrees with a fundamental rule of your industry, ask where they learned this, why do they think that? If somebody comes in asking how to get into the industry quickly to make a fast buck - don't get annoyed! Try educate them. Why would that annoy you, it's not an insult just misinformation on their part - here is your chance to put them right (it ain't that easy, but if you really wanna know here's where the info is).
I am not having a go, and I love it when I read a thread where a geek has taken the time to put somebody right, and the majority do!! But for those that feel its more important to point out that "it's obvious as there are a million threads on this", would it really be more difficult to say "there's a wealth of info out there if you use the search facility, here's how"?? Don't assume the person is lazy but may well not know about it.
Yes I know the geek rules are there for one and all but if I'm honest, I didn't read all the T's and C's when I signed up for my Hotmail account; they may not realise how valuable the 'rules' are.
If you know an answer to something - do not assume it is obvious. I have seen many an experienced nail geek take a full post to outline something very basic and not be condescending. If they can do that after all this time, so can I. If you think something is obvious (as an adviser) it should prompt you to think "then why do they not know that". Often when someone asks advice there is more to the question.
So on to those asking advice - a plea!
Take it all on board!!!
Take it as if it's written with positive regard.
Answer people's follow up questions, get involved in the debate that may ensue and don't get defensive after all, none of us know everything!
Thank those that bother to try work out a solution with you and appreciate all the great advice available on here.
I myself am going to stop apologising for 'stupid questions'.
Most of all to those of you that clearly get frustrated with either questions OR answers...why? If you're annoyed then work out why, and either try re-educate, or don't post. Simples. You can't teach somebody effectively by having a go at them.
Apologies if the post waffled on...but then again you didn't have to read this far did you
With respect xxx
